PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 16093, 19 April 1916, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD

Fxiist Day.—Tuesday. The Synod of Otago and Southland met' in First Church in tho evening. Public worship was conducted by the Rev. A. Macdonald, retiring Moderator, the text of his sermon being Hebrews xi., 15-16, and the Lord's Supper was dispensed. . The Synod then opened the business. Committees were set up, and the thanks of the Synod were accorded to the Rev. A. Macdonald for his sermon and for his services as Moderator. Second Day.—Wednesday. The Synod met at 10 a.m., the Rot. W. Nichol presiding. On the motion of Rev. A. M. Finlayson (clerk) the names of the following elders were added to the roll:—Messrs W. L. Craig, J. Wright, and W. 0. Smellie (Presbytery of Dunedin), and T. Ayson (Presbytery of Mataura). Rev. A. Cameron moved, pursuant to notice—-"In view of the fact that the Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property Consolidating Bill, 1906, makes a, material alteration in the power given iqci e ., Syn S d a,ld board b y th ° Act of JSbl, the Synod invite the Board of Iroperty to ask the Government during the coming session of Parliament to eo amend the Act of 1906 as to restore to tno Synod and board the power given by the original Act of 1861; that the Rev. Mr Balfour and the mover be a committee to confer with the Board of Property." The mover explained that this referred to the college reserve, on which Knox College was erected. The Consolidating Act of 1906 cut out the right to spend the rents, issues, and proceeds of the reserve except upon that 10-acro block. Of course, thev did not want to build another college, but it might be necessary to build a place for the professors. The motion simply prepared the way for a conference. It might be that atter conference it would be deemed wise not to go further. If, however, it were decided to go on, thoy might ask the Government to introduce the Bill without cost to the church, seeing that the object was to rectify an error in the Consolidating Act.—Rev. G. H. Balfour seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr J. Jamison wrote commending to the Synod a perusal of his letter of March 27 hist to the Presbytery of Dunedin, which, according to newspaper report, was left on the table for promiscuous consultation.—Resolved, after a short discussion, to the next business. Three new ministerial members—the Revs. W. Trotter, E. Bandy, and S.. F. Hunter—were introduced to the Moderator and welcomed by the Synod. The clerk called for nominations for the position of moderator for next year. He said that five presbyteries had recommended, three having named tho Rev. A Gray, one the Rev. J. M. Simpson, and one the Rev. T. Neave.—Rev. Mr Simpson withdrew his name and nominated tho Rev. A. Gray.—Rev. A Macdonald nominated the Rev. T. Neave.—On a fhow of hands 14 voted for each, and tho Moderator gave his casting vote in favor of Mr Neave. who thereupon became tho nominee of the Synod. Rev. R. M RyWn moved that a, committee Ije set up to draft a, suitable molion concerning tire jubilee of the Svnod, said committee to report to a, future meetinc of Synod.—Aurecd. Rev. J. Kilpatrick presented the report of tho Church Extension Committee. Steps had been taken to arrange the matter of the jubilee fund without going to court, but without success. It was received to continue negotiations with the trustees, and if the matter cannot bo settled otherwise according to the decision, of the Assembly i friendly case bo stated i>.nd the judgment uf the Supremo Court ol.ita.ined, and the committee bo directed to take whatever steps they may deem necessary to give effect to this resolution. —ln moving the adoption of the report Mr Kilpatrick mentioned that this jubilco fund was raised by the Otago and Southland Church prior to union, and until recently it was managed by this Synod, and the income expended 'by that body, "When Mr Borne pawed, away the management was tra.nsfer.red to Wellington., the treasurer of the church assumed command of the situation, and tho trustees managed tho fund. They, however, failed to recognise that this Synod had any right in regard to this fund. The Synod continued to claim the right to say how tho proceeds should be used, but tho trustees continued to pay no heed. Tho Synod bad a responsibility, which could not bo disclaimed, to the contributors.—Rev. A. Came ran seconded the motion, and, in answer to a, question, said that the thing slipped through without anyone realising what was happening. Ho took tho position that trust moneys must be administered in terms of the trust. Ho did not trouble so much about the spending of tho interest, for as a, fact much of the interest was always transmitted North. What ho feared was that there was nothing to prevent the trustees, if so minded, from spending the capital.—ln tho couren of the discussion Mr W. H. Adams, said to his mind the question was whether the. Synod appointed a man to take Mr Berries place. If not, they could not blamo tho church treasurer for stepping in.— It wa.s ultimately decided to adopt tho report and to send the Rev. Messrs J. Kilpatrick, A. Cameron, and R M. Ryburn to moat the church property'trusted in Wellington and discuss the position. Rev. H. H. Barton moved that tho first Sunday in May be observed as Bible Sunday. JTo referred to tho work of tho Otago Bible, Society, and mentioned that tho Scottish Bible Society had sent to that body a considerable number of testaments for tho ueo of soldieio.—Motion, carried. J file. Finance Committee's report was brought up and explained by Rev R. It. M. Sutherland, who said that the ecclesiastical account was overdrawn, and that tho grants paid during the year amounted to £8,255 7s 7d. The following recommendations of presbyteries as to era-tits were agreed to:— Manse site at Brighton, a little over £200: manse and site for the agent of_ the P.S.S.A., £475; monee and site at \Y ust Gore, £375 ; new church sito at Tuatapere, £l6O, also now sito for church (sum not stated); manse enlargement at Dipton, £110; cnlarcc-mei.it of church at Waitalmna West, £250. Tiie replication of Widlaeetown for £ll to complete tho glebo was not recommended by the committee, and the application was 'declined. Applications for grants for church repairs at Ravensbourne, Green Island, Middiemarch, and Lauder were approved.—Rev. G. 11. Jupp said it was not laiowrt that tho fund lor church, repairs had recuperated, otherwise several applications would have come in. Rev. G. H. Balfour presented tho report of tho Theological Committee, which was adopted. It disclosed tho fact that Professor Dickie had ottered to catalogue and arrange the library and supply for reference information as to tho authors. Mr Balfour also mentioned that tho students were prepared to supply pulpits fca a greater extent than thoy had been called, on, and, indeed, in sumo cruses rolied on such supply to carry them through.—Tho report was adopted, Professor Dickie | thanked for his offer, and a commit-too apI pointed for the year.—lt was further revived, on tlio motion of Rev. A. Gray that a committee consisting of the Rev! Messrs Balfour, Barton, Cameron, Chandler, Professor Dickie, and tho mover be set up to consider tho whole question of supply. Iho Synod -adjourned at 1.20, to meet again at 5 p.m. and wash up.